Under the groove of the feel-good anthem "Happy," two energetic groups fill the street and converge with intent. Hands are clapping in time over their heads, hips are swaying, and smiles cover their faces. Tourists stop and set their phones to record.

It's a flash mob in Las Vegas.

But on closer look, this well-choreographed group skews a bit older than some crazy college kids on spring break. Many in the group have gray hair, are still fit and definitely know how to play the crowd.

A few T-shirts give away the group's identity: It's the Ice Capades 75th Diamond Jubilee Celebration.

Once performers, always performers.

For three days in late June, this special group gathered at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino to rekindle friendships and reminisce about the precious time they shared performing in traveling ice shows.

While the focus was on the Ice Capades event, all those who skated in the many famous traveling ice shows were invited to come celebrate. The turnout was phenomenal: More than 430 past performers and their guests made the trip to Las Vegas.

But as always, one man stood out from the crowd.

"That was fun," Richard Dwyer, 79, said as he dabbed his brow after performing with the flash mob outside the Flamingo. "I didn't do too well. I was trying to follow the people in front of me, but I was about four counts behind."

Dwyer, better known as "Mr. Debonair," became the indisputable star of these ice shows starting in 1950. Playing arenas from New York's Madison Square Garden to the Los Angeles Coliseum and many in between, Dwyer's rock star reputation in the 1950s and '60s made him a Hollywood A-lister.

Joining Dwyer at this desert reunion were four of the early "Ice-Capets" — Margaret Field Beard, Betty Heiss Barnes, Lois Ann McCormick Taylor Parnell and Lucile Miller Creighton, who left their mark during the 1940s and beyond with the Ice Capades and other ice shows.

Dwyer, who spent 30 years (1950–1980) with the Ice Follies and 13 more years with Ice Capades, still glows when he talks about the glamorous skaters, the elaborate production sets and costumes, the intricately orchestrated routines — all melded to entertain families across the nation for much of the 20th century.

"We had 32 girls and 14 guys. That era of the ice shows was so fantastic and glamorous," said Dwyer, who started in the ice show business at age 14. "We spent the first 18 years traveling by train. There were 97 of us traveling in six Pullman cars. We then started flying and we'd truck the props.

"The moments, the traveling, the camaraderie, the friendships were all part of that incredible time."

As Mr. Debonair, Dwyer wore a top hat and tails. A former U.S. novice and junior champion (1948 and '49), his double jumps and famous spread eagle always brought cheers from the crowd.

Among the show's signature highlights was Dwyer gliding across the ice accompanied by six beautiful women dubbed "The Dwyer Girls." As both men and women swooned, Dwyer would give away a dozen roses at each show, always handing one to a grandmotherly type seated in the front row.

Sue Rodeghier, a Dwyer Girl in the 1980s, remembers how special it was to perform with the legendary Mr. Debonair.

"It's amazing to be one of those many who were part of that," said Rodeghier, one of the reunion organizers. "You never think that you are going to be included in that, and then when you are asked to do it, it's such an honor. To this day, he knows who I am and knows I was one of his girls."

For Dwyer, the reunions provide a golden opportunity to see the people who made his career special.

"It's been five years [since the last reunion] and it seems like yesterday when you see them again," he said. "I had the advantage of being around so long and I've watched so many of them grow up that I can't decide which year to put them in. They all look so great!"

Dwyer, who still skates four or five days a week at Pickwick Ice in Burbank, California, remains involved with the current generation of skaters, supporting them at National Showcase, Theatre on Ice and other events.

"I feel like a groupie," he joked. "I think it's important. I remember how happy I was when I was encouraged as a skater. I like to be there. It's a thrill. I also still love to go out and skate during the adult sessions; I love those people who are competing. I love to encourage them, and I have to get out of their way when they are doing their numbers. We just laugh and have fun."

Looking back, Dwyer said it was the spirit of the performers and the enduring friendships that truly made the shows special.

"There was that pride, that working together and everyone enjoying seeing the other guy do well," he said. "So many people have touched my life."